Range of Light- A week in the Sierra's

Wow! Just back this evening from an amazing week of climbing with my good friends G and Jon in the storied "Range of Light", the Sierra Nevada mountains of California.

We loaded up the venerable KIA for its last voyage, filled up on espresso and hit the long road. 24 hours later we were loitering around Bishop, drinking yet more espresso, eating Mexican food and securing a spot for a Mt.Whitney climb using the parks "Lottery" system. We received a lucky break from the friendly park service and were granted a quick and easy pass into the region for 4 days, first try! The rest of that first day we packed our bags, collected the necessary accoutrements for adventure and settled into a campsite at Whitney Portal. We read, ate burgers, told a few bad jokes and wandered around taking photos and scouting for animals. We were on free time and our minds were ablaze with the thought of high alpine granite!

On top of Cathedral Peak, a really stellar and classic peak in the Tulomne zone. Yosemite high country is a place to find your inner power animal.
Ever sat at a sub alpine campground sipping rare micro brews while enjoying a view like this one? Check!
Granite hallways on the super-cool East Buttress of Mt.Whitney, AKA Peewee Route.
The terrain unfolds into ledges, splitter cracks and neat-o terrain. All the while the sky is a mysterious dark blue colour?
Near the top of Whitney. Engulfed in the wonder of it all..
The Whitney Zone. Day Needle, Keelor Needle and Mt. Whitney. I get goosebumps thinking about climbing here gain- SO much fun to be had..
We awoke early one morning and I ran off with camera in hand to try and capture this daily event. The sun exploded from the east and painted the landscape..my words can't express..
Whitney camp. Marmots actually rule the show here but with enough trickery-pockery, you might end up with most of your food intact when you arrive back from a day of climbing! or not...
Jon and G, two very good friends and very smart guys (approximately 2 x smarter than me) that always have interesting anecdotes, scientific facts, obscure movie trivia and philosophy to share with me.
"Put your hands on the wheel, let the golden age begin"- Beck Hanson

What can I say, every time I go to this range I am left with a fuzzy feeling and I am always wanting more, more, MORE! Thanks for the great trip fellas!